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Forward spin on Yankee Doodle Bike Path project

By Rick Sobey, rsobey@lowellsun.com

Updated:
07/08/2016 08:49:57 AM EDT

The proposed route of the Yankee Doodle Bike Path from Billerica Memorial High School to the Bedford line. At its southernmost route it nearly touches the Concord River. courtesy map Courtesy Town of Billerica

"No one was really doing anything. It wasn't moving forward," Deslaurier said. "There was tacit endorsement for the project, but pen wasn't being put to paper."

Oh have times changed.

Last week, the Yankee Doodle Bike Path Committee voted to send its 25 percent design plan for the bike path to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The 4.5-mile path would run from Billerica Memorial High School to Bedford, linking up the Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail Trail, which connects with the Minuteman Bikeway. This project, estimated at more than $8 million, has been discussed in town for more than two decades.

"Some of us have been working on this for more than 20 years, so we're pretty happy," said Ellen Rawlings, chairwoman of the committee for the last three years. "To get to the 25 percent submittal is a critical design threshold, a critical step for the town."

Billerica's proposed bike path follows a trend of bike paths throughout the region. For instance, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail connecting Lowell, Chelmsford and Westford opened in 2009.

Last year, there was a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the beginning of the second phase of the trail. Phase 2A will extend the trail for almost five miles through Westford, Carlisle and Acton, ending just north of Route 2.

Now Billerica officials and residents are excited to add a bike path.

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The 200-mile Bay Circuit Trail from Newbury to Kingston is nearly complete, with the notable exception of Billerica.

The route stops at Middlesex Community College's campus on Springs Road in Bedford. A plan for the 10-foot wide route traveling north through Billerica would run along an old rail line, pass just west of Nutting Lake, cross Middlesex Turnpike at its northern end, and run along Richardson Street to the high school.

"This will be a gigantic path that connects parts of Billerica without people using motorized vehicles," Deslaurier said. "Today, some of the natural and wildlife parts of Billerica are not easy to access, but this will make those places accessible."

Marlies Henderson, a former member of the bike path committee, said the bike path will be great for senior citizens, who currently have a limited area to walk in the town center.

"It will be a wonderful addition to their walking possibilities," Henderson said. "It will also be great for businesses in the center, bringing people to the area."

Last week, state Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, helped secure $50,000 for bike path design and construction in the state budget. His amendment now goes to the governor's desk.

"This is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It's a community issue to bring people together," Lombardo said. "It's important for our town's future, and can accentuate the greatness of our community."

But there is still plenty of work to do before any bikes travel on the future Yankee Doodle Bike Path. The committee needs to figure out whether they can construct a path through the high school property.

It will be up to the School Committee, according to Superintendent Tim Piwowar.

"It's unclear if there's enough space, and the safety concern always gets raised," Piwowar said. "We need to think about the safety of students, faculty, staff and the people traversing the path."

In addition, funding is always an issue, but Rawlings said she's holding out hope that the $8 million project will be fully-funded by the state.

Three more phases will follow, allowing for public hearings and preparation before construction.

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